Quantum cryptography utilizes single photons to produce
secure random numbers between users. These random numbers are
then used to authenticate and encrypt the grid control data and
commands. Because the random numbers are produced securely, they
act as cryptographic key material for data authentication and
encryption algorithms.

The same place which saw the
birth of the Atomic Bomb, potentially man's self wrought
apocalypse, is also home to the prototype researchers built for
Quantum Crytography.

Their
paper is quite complex (read at your own
risk) — involving quantum mechanics — but the gist of
it is that not only can systems equipped with QKD easily detect
eavesdroppers, they can also randomly generate cryptography keys
at both locations, all at unprecedented speeds.

“The simulator provides a mechanism for proving technology
in real-world scenarios,” said Tim Yardley, assistant director of
test bed services. “We're not just using perfect or simulated
data, so the results demonstrate true feasibility.”

The technology can be implemented into existing
infrastructure, but researchers are worried that politics and
brinksmanship will delay further research, testing, and
installation.

"It's actually pretty discouraging how little has changed,
based on this lack of cohesiveness between the IT security teams
and the operational staff responsible for maintaining uptime of
industrial systems," said Avivah Litan, a senior security analyst
with Gartner
told CSO Online. "There's still a culture of organizational
bureaucracies and territorialism, and little urgency to get
things done."